SENIOR TOWN PLANNER Samantha Elliott explains the proposed multi-family housing district to Town Meeting participants Saturday. The town meeting considered several other articles including the approval of solar panels for the Galvin. (Frank Conte Photo)
Town meeting roundup
By NEIL ZOLOT
WAKEFIELD — Town Meeting appropriated $571,812 to install solar panels on the roof of the Galvin Middle School in a fall session at the school Saturday, November 16.
“This building was built solar-ready,” Town Council Chairman Michael McLane said before the vote. “It doesn’t mean some work won’t have to be done, but this is a great place to start this project,” a reference to a longterm effort to wean town facilities off fossil fuels.
The $572,812 will be mingled with $204,600 in American Rescue Plan Act funds and $200,000 from the Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department to fund the $976,412 project.
If an application for a tax credit of $292,800 is approved, the town appropriation would drop to $279,012.
The equipment will consist of 874 solar panels, which the town will own, in a web that captures solar power to transform it into sustainable energy. The current estimates to recoup the cost is four years.
A handout on the article, #3 on the warrant, indicated a minimum number of holes will have to be drilled in the roof, which reduces the risk of roof leaks that could arise from installation. DPW Director Joseph Conway feels the installation could prevent the roof from deteriorating as fast as it would otherwise by providing shielding.
DPW Business Manager Ann Waitt read the rest of the handout. “The project is viable now and will be less viable as the roof ages and it’s a favorable time for federal tax credits,” she said. “The benefits are long term cost savings, with the Galvin electric bill reduced by approximately $85,000 in Year 1, education opportunities for students and environmental impacts that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce air pollution and assists in achieving 2050 carbon neutral goals.”
“We’ll be able to provide electricity with rays of the sun,” Town Manager Steve Maio added.
In discussion, Tiana Veldwisch informed the assembly the Environmental Sustainability Committee she belongs to endorsed the article. School Committee liaison to that committee, Kevin Fontanella, said passage was “a no-brainer.”
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Another Article, #8, a Citizen Petition, to “not Use Town Resources to Enable Violations of Human Rights and International Law by Israel,” specifically “refrain from purchasing Israel Bonds or other securities issued by Israel as long as Israel remains in violation of international law, refrain from purchasing goods and services from, or investing or depositing funds directly in, any company or financial institution that facilitates and enables Israel’s violations of international law and human rights as part of the Israeli occupation of Syrian and Palestinian lands, or as part of Israeli apartheid, as detailed in the United Nations General Assembly including, but not limited to, those companies listed in the Occupations section of the Investigate project of the American Friends Service Committee, and no officer of the Police Department shall be permitted to receive police training from Israeli police departments, Israeli military units, or trainers who provide training to Israeli police departments or military units; and future Annual Reports of the Town shall certify that the Town complied with this Town Meeting Action during the report year,” was postponed indefinitely.
Petitioner Marco Sukkar presented the proposal, which was similar to one presented by David Bisson at the Annual Spring Town Meeting for the “Town Administrator to send a letter to the President and Senators and Congressmen representing Wakefield stating the town urges them to use their positions and best efforts to stop all transfers of arms without exception to Israel, stop scheduled and potential future transfers of funds to Israel and restore and funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees,” which was postponed indefinitely.
Like Bisson did, Sukkar used provocative and inflammatory terms like “atrocities” and “genocide” to single out Israel.
Before discussion really began, Daniel Lieber motioned for Indefinite Postponement. “This is not one of the issues relevant to Town Meeting and a performative act that will not have any direct impact,” he said.
He also said it was “disgraceful” the matter was being considered on the Jewish Sabbath.
“Town Meeting is not a foreign policy body, and we know nothing about how this will be implemented,” Christopher Bossi agreed. “We should not be commenting on the merits of this because this is not the right body.”
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ERIC REID is at the podium explaining his ultimately unsuccessful move to have a formal report on major buildings inspected by the Building Department. (Neil Zolot Photo)
Among other warrant items, Article 1 to hear and accept a report from Town Manager Steve Maio was approved. “Wakefield remains on a course for a brighter future,” he said.
Article 2, to use $3,850,000 in Free Cash to calculate the tax rate was also approved.
Article 5 was also approved it will impellent collective bargaining agreements between the Town and Wakefield Clerical (Town Hall) employees for a three year period from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2027.
Article 6 was passed to appropriate $501,119 from Water Retained Earnings and $160,975 from Sewer Retained Earnings to supplement the Water and Sewer Budget from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.
Town Meeting rejected Article 7, a Citizen Petition from Bylaw Review Committee member Eric Reid to require the Building Inspector to prepare a yearly report for the Annual Town Meeting which would include a list of major buildings that were inspected, with major being defined as at least three stories high and with ten or more housing units, with the caveat it might be redefined in the future by the Town Council.
Town Counsel Thomas Mullen recommended it be reviewed by the Bylaw Review Committee.
CUTLINE
ERIC REID is at the podium explaining his ultimately unsuccessful move to have a formal report on major buildings inspected by the Building Department. (Neil Zolot Photo)
